Aircraft toy set



March 4, 1958 L. A. GUNDERSON 2,825,181

' AIRCRAFT TOY SET Filed July 30. 1956 FIG.3

INVEN TOR.

LY-NELL A. GUNDERSON BY a).

FIG.5 FIG.6

United States atent 2,825,181 lc Patented Mar. 4, 1958 AIRCRAFT TOY SET Lynell A. Gundersou, Doland, S. Dak., assignor of onetenth to Gadget-Of-The-Month Club, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application July 30, 1956, Serial No. 600,810 2 Claims. (c1. 46-242 This invention relates to toy models of aircraft and similar airborne winged devices, and more particularly to a pair of hand-held toy models including a carrier plane and a fighter plane considerably smaller than the former, the small plane being removably attachable to the undersurface of the larger plane by simple magnetic contact and release means during simulated flights.

The toys of my invention are die cast or molded, and are generally non-mechanical and hand-propelled; they are intended for use in imaginative play by children of pre-school age.

Although there have been many'small modelled hand toys and playthings made to represent airplanes or other objects related to aviation, most of them have been single and self-sufficient models which are used and played with individually, and none which I have observed or have discovered in the related prior art appears even to anticipate the particular combination of objectives involved in my present invention.

One important object of my invention is the provision of a pair of toy model airplanes, one being substantially larger than the other and thereby adapted to suggest in the mind of the child user the interesting combination of the mother and baby kangaroo and, more broadly, the general mother-and-child relationship which is inherently appealing to all children.

Another important object of my invention is the provision of a set of toy models of the character described in which the elements employed are adapted to be used either singly or in combination in simulated flight and other dramatic play.

A further important object of my invention is the provision of a two-piece plaything of the character described, the elements of which can be easily attached, detached and re-attached as frequently as desired without the usual delays for re-setting, winding and adjustment required by most mechanical toys.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a two-piece model set of the character described having completely automatic means of attachment including interfitting structural elements and requiring merely that the user bring the two separate models into proper surface contact.

In brief, the toy combination of my invention includes a pair of toy model airplanes including a large plane conformed to represent a bomber-transport type of aircraft, and a smaller plane relatively proportioned to the size of a fighter plane being of generally indefinite external configuration so that it may be regarded, according to the fancy of the youthful user, as a guided missile, airborne bomb, a fighter plane or a simple glider.

A simple permanent magnet is inset into the undersurface of the larger of the models, and a metal plate interfitting therewith is fixedly attached to the upper surface of the smaller model.

-A recess in the undersurface of the larger plane is positioned rearwardly of the magnet and is provided therein to receive the upper tip of the vertical stabilizer of the smaller aircraft to hold the two models in parallel longitudinal alignment. In one embodiment a finger operated plunger is provided with which to press the small plane away from the undersurface of the larger plane and free of the magnetic field of attraction of its magnet.

Other possible variations of the embodiment and additional objects of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed specification when taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic and schematic side elevational' view of the toy model set of my invention in which the larger airplane is shown in broken lines to facilitate separating it visually from the outline of the smaller plane seen in solid lines below; I

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the two models in the normal position of attachment as seen from below;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line and in the direction indicated by the numerals 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the smaller model such as those seen in Figs. 1 and 2, having a somewhat different external configuration, and showing the plate on the upper surface thereof;

Fig. 5 is a purely schematic fragmentary diagram showing the inset and magnet element in square form as it would appear from the under-surface of the larger model in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a similar schematic View of a square plate 'member disposed on the top of the smaller airplane model and adapted to interfit with the inset and magnet shown in Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 is a generally schematic view in perspective of a delta Wing variation of the smaller model aircraft.

Reference is again made to Fig. 1 showing a pair of model airplanes constructed according to my invention, in which the numeral 19 indicates generally the larger of the two models which is shown in broken lines to distinguish it more readily from the solid outlines of the smaller airplane 11 positioned therebelow.

It should be understood that the external conformation of the larger airplane 10 is intended to represent and suggest a bomber-transport type of aircraft and is not intended to be that of any specific airplane of any one model or of any particular make.

But whereas the conformation of the nose 12, fuselage 13, fore and aft windows 14 and 15 and empennage assembly 16 are intended collectively to indicate the bomber-transport type of aircraft, the smaller plane is intentionally conformed externally in an indefinite manner not restricting it to the specific function of any one type of airborne craft. Thus, in the imaginative play of children, the smaller plane can logically serve as almost any type of winged aircraft such as: fighter plane, space ship, flying missile, private airplane, and many others.

The external conformation of the smaller model, therefore, is understood to be entirely arbitrary-as long as it remains indefinite. It should suggest a number of different types, but not be specific to any one.

In the form seen in Figs. 1 and 2 the smaller airplane includes one or more design elements of each of a variety of aircraft types including: the blunt fore and aft sections 17 and 13 of the fuselage 25, which are typical of some jet fighters and guided missile; the raked wings 19 and 20, typical of high speed fighters; the absence of obvious control surfaces suggesting a gliding bomb; the wing-tip nacelles 2i and 22 which might serve as armament pods or buoyancy floats; and, finally, the sharply angled vertical stabilizer 23, the streamlined canopy 24 enclosing the elongated fuselage 25 makes it appear strangely eflicient and capable of speed and maneuvers far beyond the range of the larger model aircraft10.

One element of design which is not arbitrary and serves a definite purpose in the use of the combined models is the low low-wingplan of the smaller aircraftjwhich, by bringing the under-surfaces of the nose 17 and the wingtip nacelles 21 and 22 into uniplanar alignment, permits the smaller model to serve as a pedestal or landing gear above which the larger plane is balanced and on which it can be supported when not in use.

The two models are removably attached in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by means of the magnet assembly 26 better seen in Fig. 3 which is a fragmentary section taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2. l V

A boss member 27 is tapered downwardly from the surface adjacent the lateral and longitudinal center of the fuselage 13 of the larger plane 10 as is also shown in fragmentary section at 27 in Fig. 3. A permanent magnet 28 is disposed upwardly within a recess 29 in the under-surface 33 of the tapered boss 27 and is adapted dimensionally to receive a metal plate 30 which is fixedly attached to the upper surface 31 of the fuselage 25 of the smaller airplane.

As indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, the positioning of the plate member 30 interiorly of the recess 29 permits contact between the plate 30 and the magnet 28 and furthermore serves to prevent longitudinal or lateral relative movement. However, as indicated in Fig. 2 the magnet assembly 26 includes both a circular magnet and a circular plate which might permit pivotting of the smaller plane relative to the larger model during vigorously simulated maneuvers. This twisting is prevented however by the provision of recess 32 in the under-surface 33 of the larger plane, the recess being adapted to receive the upper tip 34 of the vertical stabilizer 33 of the smaller plane 11.

A further variation of the magnet assembly serving the same general purpose is provided as indicated in Fig. which shows a square magnet 28-S disposed interiorly of a square inset 29-5 in the bottom of the tapered boss portion 27, being similar in other respects to that shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Seen in Fig. 6 is a square plate member 30-8 which is upwardly extended from the upper surface of the deltawinged variation 35 of the small craft 11. Because of the spanwise spacing of the two vertical stabilizers 36 and 37 along the trailing edge 38 of the delta wing, the stabilizers 36 and 37 cause no interference with the under-surface 33 of the fuselage 13 of the larger plane when the two models are magnetically attached in the manner previously described, and use of the square magnet and plate 28S and 30-8 respectively as seen in Figs. 5 and 6 prevents the possibility of lateral movement and consequent longitudinal misalignment of the two planes.

Provision for instances in which the user of the toy might desire that the captive plane 11 be released from the larger aircraft so that it might glide or dive toward a target,,a plunger rod 39 having a round head 40 at its upper end and a yoke member 41 extending downwardly therefrom through the boss 27 at each side of the magnet 28, as better seen in Fig. 3, is adapted with coil springs 42 and 43 disposed between the transverse portion of the yoke 41 and the inner surface of the boss portion 27. As can be readily understood from the enlarged section of Fig. 3, when the external button member 40 is depressed the ends 44 and 45 of the yoke section 41 are extended downwardly against the upper surface 31 of the fuselage 25 of the smaller plane 11, thereby forcing the plate 30 out of the field of magnetic attraction of the magnet 28, and the smaller plane is permitted to glide or drop, according to the effects of gravity and its speed and attitude of movement at the time of release.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present inventionwilloccur to those skilled in the art after a careful study hereof. All such, properly within the .basic spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fully as if specifically described, illustrated and claimed herein.

The exact compositions, configurations, constructions, relative positionings, and cooperative relationships of the various component parts of the present invention are not critical, and can be modified substantially within the spirit of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention specifically described and illustrated herein'are exemplary only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is to be'interpreted in the light of the prior art and the appended claims only, with due consideration for the doctrine of equivalents I claim: l

1. An aircraft model toy-set, comprising: a pair of hand-held model airplanes conformed of a generally rigid material; one of said models being substantially larger than the other and having the general conformation and external appearance of a bomber-transport type of aircraft; an inset disposed centrally of the under-surface of said larger model, and a permanent magnet fixedly attached interiorly of said inset; theother of said models being dimensionedproportionately tosaid larger model in the ratio of a fighter to a bombing planeand having a metal plate fixedly disposed centrally of its 'upper surface and extended upwardly therefrom; said metal plate being enterable within said inset within the field of magnetic attraction of 'said magnet therein, whereby said smaller model is held adjacent to said under-surface of said larger model; said larger model having a recess in said under-surface thereof, saidrecess being inwardly disposed in said undersurface rearwardly of said inset therein and being adapted to receive the upwardly extended end of the vertical stabilizer of said smaller model when said two modelsare' held adjacent each other by said magnet; said inset and saidma'gnet and said plate interfitting therewith being circular inconformation; a plunger rod vertically disposed interiorly ofsaid larger model above said inset therein, said plunger being extended through the'uppersurface of said model and terminated thereabove in a generally flat pressure member, and being terminated at its downward end in a yoke section having'the parallel members thereof extended down wardly through said under-surfaceof said larger model and adjacent said upper surface of said smaller model when engaged by said magnet; and spring means adapted to'norm'ally bias said plunger upwardly.

2. An aircraft'model toy-set, comprising: a pair of hand-held model airplanes conformed of a generally rigid material; one of said models being substantially larger than the other and having the'generalconformation and external appearance of a bomber-transport type of aircraft; an inset disposed centrally of the under-surface of said larger model, and a permanent magnet fixedly attached interiorly of said inset; the otherof said models being dimensioned proportionately to said larger model in the ratio of a fighter to a bombing plane and having a metal plate fixedly disposed centrally ofits upper surface and extendedupw'a'rdly therefrom; saidmetal plate being enterable within said inset within the field of magnetic attraction of said magnet therein, whereby said smaller model is held adjacent to said under-surfaceof said larger model; said larger model having a recessin said under-surface thereof, said recess being inwardly disposed in said undersurface rearwardly of said inset therein and being adapted to receive the upwardly extended end of the vertical stabilizer of said smaller model when said two models are held adjacent 'each other by said magnet; said inset and said magnet and said plate interfitting therewith being circular in conformation; a plunger rod vertically dis posedinteriorly of said larger model ahove said 'inset therein, said plunger being extended through the upper surface of 'said model and terminated thereabove in'a generally fiat pressure member, and being terminated at its downward end in a yoke 2,825,181 5 6 section having the parallel members thereof extended is adapted to serve as a pedestal support for said larger downwardly through said under-surface of said larger model when sa1d models are not in use.

model and adjacent said upper surface of said smaller model when engaged by said magnet; and spring means References Clted 1n the file of this P adapted to normally bias said plunger upwardly; said 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS smaller model being conformed with a low-wing planforrn 2,767,517 Hooper O 23, 1956 1nclud1ng a drooplng nose section and spaced wing tip nacelles, the under-surfaces of said nose and said nacelles FOREIGN PATENTS being adapted for uniplanar alignment on a generally 196,865 Great Britain 1923 horizontal supporting surface whereby said smaller model 10 1,089,833 France Oct. 6, 1954 

